Second World War veteran marks 107th birthday in Coleraine

A celebration has been held to mark the 107th birthday of one of Northern Ireland’s most distinguished veterans.

Sergeant Norman Irwin BEM, who is believed to be the oldest person in Northern Ireland, served in several countries during the Second World War.

Born in 1918, Mr Irwin joined the Coleraine Battery of the Royal Artillery in 1939, just before the outbreak of hostilities.

He served with distinction in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine, and Italy and played a vital role in protecting the Suez Canal from German attacks.

He vividly recalls his time in North Africa, where the battlefield stretched across thousands of miles of inhospitable terrain.

“When they chased us back across North Africa, it was about 1,500 miles.

“It wasn’t a small, localised battle—it was over a 1,500-2,000-mile stretch.”

He added: ““We lost the tools… in the sand, so we made our own – you learned to adapt to it very, very quickly. You just had to get on with it.”

In 1942, his mechanical aptitude led to his transfer to the newly formed Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Reme), where he rose to the rank of sergeant.

Mr Irwin was mainly attached to the Coldstream Guards but also with the Irish Guards and Grenadier Guards.

After six and a half years of service, he returned home in 1945 and began a successful career as an engineer.

Mr Irwin worked at the Bengers factory site in Coleraine, which later became Kerry Foods and then Pickering’s Foods, a subsidiary of Heinz.

He served as engineering manager until his retirement.

He also helped establish organisations such as the Coleraine Winemakers Club and the Rotary Club, and he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2025 for his contributions to society.

The Ministry of Defence said his story is a “testament to the skills and opportunities offered”.

Mr Irwin, who celebrated his birthday on November 17, attributes his long life to a simple daily ritual: A glass of Bushmills Whiskey.

“It’s kept me going all these years,” he joked.